Italy on Top of the World at the 2024 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup
The 2024 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup in São Paulo delivered thrilling action, culminating in a day of triumph for Italy. From the tense semifinals to the emotional finals, players gave their all, leaving nothing on the sand in pursuit of glory.
The semifinals set the stage for an electrifying showdown. Fourth-seeded Spain stunned the home crowd by ousting second-seeded Brazil in a nail-biting clash. Spain took an early lead with a win in the women’s doubles, only for Brazil to strike back in the men’s doubles, forcing a decisive mixed-doubles match. The teams battled fiercely, but Spain held their nerve to edge Brazil in a match tie-break, sealing a 2-1 victory and silencing the partisan crowd.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Italy showcased their dominance against Venezuela, securing a commanding 2-0 win by clinching both the women’s and men’s doubles. The result sent Italy into the final brimming with confidence as they sought to reclaim the title they had shared with Brazil in 2023 after heavy rain cut short the deciding mixed-doubles event.
Finals day was a spectacle of raw emotion and high-stakes competition. The juniors took the court first, with Italy and Brazil renewing their storied rivalry. Playing under immense pressure in front of their home fans, Brazil’s junior team pushed hard but faltered at critical moments. Italy’s Elena Francesconi and Alice Pepe won the opening girls’ match, but Brazil’s boys evened the score with a strong performance. The decisive mixed-doubles match was a tense affair, but Italy prevailed, clinching their third Junior World Cup title. Italian Junior Captain Michele Folegatti, overwhelmed with emotion, reflected, “We knew this year would be tough, but we fought for every point and every match.”
Buoyed by their juniors' triumph, Italy’s professional team entered the final against Spain with determination. The women’s doubles pairing of Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini, ranked second in the world and fresh off their Tour Finals victory, struck the first blow by defeating Spain’s Eva Fernandez Palos and Ariadna Costa Graell in a close match, 7-6, 6-3. Italy’s men’s duo, Michele Cappelletti and Mattia Spoto—world numbers one and two—delivered a masterclass against Antomi Ramos and Gerard Rodríguez, securing a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win.
With their 2-0 victory over Spain, Italy claimed their seventh Beach Tennis World Cup title and capped off an extraordinary season. This victory also marked a historic double for the nation, as Italy triumphed in both the junior and professional events—a testament to their dominance in beach tennis. The achievement rounded out a remarkable year that also saw Italy claim titles in the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup.